Commission approves two new office buildings near Boone Hall after design revisions

The Charleston County Historic Preservation Commission on Sept. 17 approved a certificate of historic appropriateness for the construction of two single‑story office buildings (about 4,060 square feet each) and associated site improvements on a 1.98‑acre parcel at 2521 Highway 17 North. The property lies within 300 feet of Boone Hall Plantation, a National Register historic property. Staff reported the buildings were revised after a conceptual plan workshop: the applicant reduced building dimensions, adjusted roof slope and materials, increased porches and altered colors and window trim to better match the on‑site existing warehouse.

Emily Pickett told the commission the proposal would place the new buildings to the rear of an existing retail warehouse and that the portion of Boone Hall closest to the parcel contains undeveloped forest with no identified contributing resources visible toward the subject site. Staff concluded the design changes and placement made adverse effects unlikely and recommended approval with one condition: any major changes must return to the commission under Section 21‑5 of the Historic Preservation Ordinance.

One letter of support had been received and public comment at the meeting was limited; commissioners asked staff to confirm that applicant design revisions addressed prior concerns about scale and materials. After discussion, a motion to approve the certificate—citing criteria that the buildings are compatible in scale, massing and materials and that no negative impacts were identified—passed by unanimous vote. The commission’s approval applies solely to the plans presented; any substantive modifications will require further review.